Went for the Sunday "buffet". Great atmosphere and good vibes. Delicious Thai cuisine at a decent price. If you're in Oakland and like Thai food, definitely swing by 10:00 AM till 1:00 PM on Sundays.

Come here for their weekly Thai Sunday brunch from 10-1, an absolute delight. They use a "donation" based system in which you pay for coins that are then used to purchase different meals. They have beef noodle soup for 12 coins, coconut pancake desserts for 11 coins, mango sticky rice for 11, and multiple entrees from 11-13 for 1-3 dishes. There is plenty of seating with awnings, but it does get quite busy early on with half-hour long wait times I appreciate that they use reusable bowls and utensils and clearly marked return stations.

Incredible food and a well-organized fundraising initiative! Parking is difficult but we found plenty of open spots at the nearby tennis courts. The kanom krok takes a while to prepare, so place your order for those as soon as you come in and get your tokens.

The chicken here is incredible! We arrived late so we missed out on the rest of the menu, but what we did have was so good that we’re already planning our return trip. Pro tip: arrive early and be prepared for two lines (one for tokens, one for food). Can’t wait to come back and try everything else!

Kind people in the temple. Fun atmosphere outside where one orders meals for a $10 or so donation per dish. $3 Thai tea. Shared eating area. Great way to meet new people over a hot meal. Long covered tables with chairs.

I really enjoyed the dining experience at Thai Temple. I went to school in Berkeley, but never had the opportunity to come here. I imagine you'd come here for the affordable and tasty Thai foods, but stay for the ambience and community vibes. The payment process is unique. You purchase tokens that are refundable if unused, and then you trade tokens for food items, which are all recommendations because it is run as a non-profit organization for all. You can get a rice plate for $9+ depending on what you plate, including everything from tofu curry, eggplant & green beans. You can also get mango sticky rice dessert, fried chicken, or stand in the massive line for beef noodle soup. A great value overall and excited to come back.

really really great cute out of the way spot with friendly faces, tasty food, and a good cause. i took a few friends here and they were all impressed by the flavors and options. we got there before they officially open at 10am, but were still able to get in line, beating the rush that comes later on. the beef noodle soup is similar to pho, a bit different, and i’d say is a must-try. and the option to get three stir fries (13 tokens) is great if you want to try a bit of everything. my personal favorites are the eggplant and pork belly stew

Wat Mongkolratanaram Buddhist Temple is a true neighborhood gem, especially on Sundays when they serve food through donation based tokens. The beef soup is outstanding. The broth is deep, rich, and full of flavor, easily some of the best I have had anywhere. The pad Thai and curries are also excellent, well seasoned, comforting, and clearly made with care. Portions are generous, so you leave satisfied. What really stands out is the atmosphere. Everyone is friendly, welcoming, and genuinely community oriented. It feels warm and local, the kind of place where people linger, chat, and come back week after week. Great food, great people, and a relaxed, welcoming vibe that makes the experience feel special every time.